SURREY, B.C. – The Surrey Board of Trade in partnership with the City of Surrey releases the 2nd annual Surrey Road Survey results.

“I was very encouraged to see that respondents put a high priority on Light Rail Transit and also identified those intersections and corridors needing improvement. This type of engagement with Surrey’s business community helps us build Surrey together,” said CEO Anita Huberman.

As a result of what our members indicated in both their responses and the voluntary additional comments, the Surrey Board of Trade recommends:

· That the entire 27km of the Surrey LRT be built as soon as is feasible

· That in addition to the identified top 3 corridors and intersections (see page 7), the City consider the areas of 32 Ave, 152 St and the Highways as identified by respondents

· That the City and Mayors Council recognize that more citizens of Surrey and South Fraser both live and work here and require the necessary infrastructure to support ease of movement.

To read the full report, go to businessinsurrey.com/policy/transportation.

32% Arterial widening to 5 lanes on 100 Ave between King George Blvd to 140 St
Top 3 intersections requiring attention
31% New traffic signals and improvements at 104 Ave and 156 St

22% New traffic signals and improvements at 104 Ave and 154 St

20% New traffic signals at 30 Ave and 160 St
Support for Surrey Light Rail Transit Project
83% respondents rated LRT on L-Line (Guildford-City Centre-Newton) from “Would be good to have” to “Definitely need it”

86% respondents rated LRT on Fraser Hwy (City Centre to Langley) from “Would be good to have” to “Definitely need it”
More buses please
82% respondents determined that new bus services to neighbourhoods not currently served by transit “Would be good to have” to “Definitely need it”

80% respondents thought more frequent service on existing bus routes “Would be good to have” to “Definitely need it”

“Another very interesting result is that nearly 70% of respondents like to work and live South of the Fraser. Although the Pattullo Bridge and other crossings need to be improved to accommodate commuters, more are staying this side of the river,” observed Huberman. Over 50% both live and work in Surrey, unchanged from 2016, and an additional 24% commute into Surrey for employment.

Although two years of data is insufficient to mark a significant trend, there is a measurable shift as respondents are travelling less overall than was reported in 2016. Further, for those who travel for work, the number of hours have decreased, from 27% of those travelling 3 or more hours a day in 2016, to 13% in 2017. Although there was an increase in those driving 1 to 2 hours, an increase of 8%, it is offset by the 23% who have reduced their work related driving from 3 or more hours per day, or who are no longer travelling for work.

There were patterns in the responses, particularly in certain corridors that were flagged for further consideration and response by the City. Of the corridors, various sections of 32 Ave and 152 St (south) dominated, with improvements to many segments of King George Boulevard, the Fraser Highway, and Highway 10 coming close behind. Intersection improvements likewise highlighted needs for 32 Avenue, 152 Street, the highways, and their feeder roads.

“It is gratifying to see the strong alignment between what Surrey citizens are looking for and what we’re delivering,” said Jaime Boan, Manager of Transportation at the City. “Respondents aren’t concerned with being funneled out of Surrey into Metro Vancouver as quickly as possible; in fact, members prioritize an integrated multi-modal transportation system which shapes Surrey and meets the needs of businesses and residents living and making a living here.”

“Priorities identified in our 10-Year Transportation Plan, namely completing the planned strategic road network and improving neighbourhood connectivity, addressing congestion and intersection delays, better integrating land use and transportation priorities, and improving rapid transit are all top of mind for respondents,” continued Boan.

Respondents strongly support additional bus service through Surrey. The choice of transit for commuting is very low, but given the response for services, it can be interpreted that it is the lack of opportunity rather than desire that drive respondents to choose cars over transit.

In early 2016, discussions began with the City of Surrey to develop a survey of businesses and determine what areas of Surrey would require improvements and whether businesses priorities are in line with the City’s 10-year plan for road work. The City of Surrey’s plan is reviewed annually, with some projects shifting up depending on their need. As part of the survey, the City supplies a list of corridors, intersections, and projects that are part of the plan. This provides respondents the opportunity to select their top 3 based on their observations as they travel throughout the city.

The Surrey Board of Trade has long had a policy advocating for the ease of movement of goods, services, and business operators throughout the region, particularly through Surrey. The Surrey Board of Trade has advocated: for the Pattullo Bridge to be replaced; for the Massey Tunnel to be replaced by a bridge; to equalize tolls on all crossings, including bridges to the City of Vancouver and the North Shore, or drop them entirely; and for the increase in transit throughout the City of Surrey. The Surrey Board of Trade has also advocated for all 27kms of the Surrey Light Rail Transit project to be built now and in its entirety. This is the second annual survey to be implemented in partnership with the City of Surrey.